Friday, September 8, 2017
Isaiah 55:1 … And you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
ALL THIS … AND FOR FREE!
A feature that stands out prominently in Isaiah's picture (namely, of the consumers invited to purchase from the merchant the items he has on sale: water, wine, and milk) is that they're invited to do this even if they are penniless. The truth the Lord presents to us here is that the blessings He offers us in His Word (refreshment for our souls, joy in His forgiveness, nourishment for our faith) He gives to us FREE! This is important for two reasons:
First, we can't contribute anything towards our spiritual well-being. All the money in the world couldn't obtain forgiveness for a single sin. No good works of our own, be they ever so numerous, would qualify us for entry into heaven to live with our holy God. As Isaiah writes in another place: "We're all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6).
Second, if we were to attempt the impossible, to acquire the blessings of God's love by our works, it would provide us with no true happiness. It would lead only to sadness, despair, and spiritual exhaustion. A real-life example: when I lived in Texas, there was a UPS driver came to the door one day with a delivery (I had gotten to know him over the months). He knew I was a pastor and we got into a religious discussion. Along the way he shared with me how he was feeling emotionally burned-out. "Why?" I asked. "Because of what my church is teaching me,” he said. “For me to get right with God I need to obey His commandments. Jesus did His part. Now you've gotta do yours.” It left him feeling mentally drained.
It's because our heavenly Father loves us and wants us to know that we needn't feel that way, that He sent His Son to do what we couldn't get done. He had Jesus take our load of sin on Himself on the cross and atone for it there by pouring out His lifeblood, the Innocent for the guilty. He then raised Him from the grave to prove that this is true. Now He simply invites us to feast our ears on this Good News and to believe it in our hearts.
"Come unto Me, ye weary, And I will give you rest."
O blessed voice of Jesus, Which comes to hearts opprest!
It tells of benediction, Of pardon, grace, and peace,
Of joy that hath no ending, Of love which cannot cease.
"And whosoever cometh, I will not cast him out."
O patient love of Jesus, Which drives away our doubt,
Which, though we be unworthy Of love so great and free,
Invites us very sinners To come, dear Lord, to Thee!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 276:1, 4)
